His research interests included early modern English literature (especially Sir Francis Bacon), the history of science, and the writings of Jonathan Swift.
Born in Salado, Texas, he was the son of Samuel J. Jones, who had been the head of Salado College before it closed, and who then established in its former building the Thomas Arnold High School, a private academy which he headed from 1890 until 1913.
Following his graduation from his father's school, Jones attended the University of Texas, from which he received a bachelor's degree in 1907.
He retired from teaching in 1952 but continued his research and publishing until near the end of his life.
Though Jones spent only the last seven years of his academic career at Stanford, his name is closely associated with it.